Muskego - The three candidates running for mayor all want to put their own imprint on how the city is run, but they agree that one of the top priorities is to bring more business to Muskego.

That would boost the tax base and help hold the line on residents' property taxes, they said.

Kathy Chiaverotti, Scott Dickmann and Luke Hudock are vying to succeed Mayor John Johnson. The top two-vote getters in the Feb. 15 primary will advance to the April 5 election.

Johnson retired as the city's police chief in October 2006 and defeated then-Mayor Charles Damaske in a recall election the next month. He was re-elected in April 2008 but announced in November that he would not seek another three-year term.

Chiaverotti, the executive director of the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce, said the economy and the shortfall of the business share of the tax base are the largest issues facing Muskego.

"The share of property taxes the residents bear vs. business is a greater share than the average community our size. The average community our size has a split of approximately 80% residential and 20% business. Currently, businesses contribute less than 12% to the tax base, with the residents bearing a disproportionate share of almost 88%," said Chiaverotti, who ran for mayor in 2002 but was eliminated in the primary. "This has been the situation for many years. To correct this, the city must grow its business base."

"My experience in promoting Muskego and balancing budgets are the skills necessary for the next mayor of Muskego," said Chiaverotti, 56, a Waukesha County supervisor and former Muskego alderwoman.

Dickmann, 47, who owns three hair salons, said he is running so he can "apply my business knowledge and experience for the betterment of the community."

"I'm going into this for the right reasons. I want people to be heard. I want to attract businesses," said Dickmann, 47, who ran for alderman in 2008 and lost in the primary.

Dickmann said he would work to ensure that the city's finances remain solid and that the city does everything possible to save money. The budget will be one of the top issues, he said, because revenue the city receives from the state probably will decline.

"One way to offset this is to attract additional business. In the short term, we will need to scrutinize every line item in the budget and look at alternative ways to generate revenue and how we do business as a city. As an example, are we procuring at the best prices? Are there consortiums that we can be part of for cost savings?" Dickmann asked.

Hudock said that as mayor he would lead the city with strong, fiscally conservative budgets aimed at keeping the tax rate flat.

"My plan is to examine and change how Muskego delivers city services to the residents. We have to look at the services being provided and find new ways to deliver them to the residents while improving the quality and reducing the cost to do so," said Hudock, 36, who owns a pest control business.

"Whether it is through consolidation or privatization, we have a duty to the citizens to make sure we are spending their money in the most cost-effective and efficient way," he said.

He said his priorities would be reducing taxes, reducing spending and improving the business footprint.

"Cities are in a competition to attract businesses. . . . I believe my real-world business experience coupled with my educational background makes me the natural choice to grow business, lower taxes, reduce spending and lead Muskego forward," he said.

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Kathy Chiaverotti

Age: 56

Address; time in city: S77-W19857 Holly Patch Court; 27 years

Occupation: Executive director, Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce

Elective offices: Waukesha County supervisor, District 23, April 2010 to present; Muskego alderwoman, District 5, 1998-2001